The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Friday told the Karnataka High Court that it is not widening the 13.32 km stretch of NH 4A passing through Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, while denying allegations that it violated the provisions of the Forests Conservation Act, 1980, and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, in widening the remaining stretch of the highway.
A detailed statement by the NHAI was submitted before a Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice L. Narayana Swamy and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar during the hearing of a PIL petition, filed by environmentalist Suresh Heblikar and two others. The petitioners had questioned the legality of widening NH 4A while complaining that the project adversely affected forest reserves, elephant corridors, and the tiger reserve in Belagavi region.
